John k



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOHN K. MCLAUGHLIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LEWIS H. TAYLOR, JR., OF SAME PLACE.

CONDUIT FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS..

VSPECHEICAUTION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,085, dated December 12,1882.

Application filed January 2T, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN K. MGLAUGH- LIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county ot' Philadelphia 5 and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Conduits for Electrical Conductors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,l clear, and

'exact description of the invention, reference be- 1o ing had to the accompanyingdrawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective of a conduit embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a perspective representing detail parts of the same. 1 5 Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, and Fig. 4 is a broken elevation, of two adjoining conduit-,sections with clamping-collar, the latter being in section. i

l My invention has relation to conduits for zo electrical conductors; and my improvements have for their object to provide a conduit which can be cheaply manufactured, com pactly stored or packed for transportation, and readily put together, forming, when laid, a perfectly tight z 5 and durableintegument for cables or wires contained therein.

My improvements consist in the peculiar construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and specically claimed, having refer- 3o ence principally to `forming the conduit-sec-v tions of four at sides or plates fastened together to form a rectangular pipe or tube, such sections being coupled end to end, and clamped between such ends to render the joints per- 3 5 fectly tight; also, to constructingthe conductorl supporters of vertical partitions `with detachable shelves.

Referring` to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, which illustrates a conduit embody- 4o ing my invention, A A and B B'represent the two sides and the top and bottom plates, which compose a conduit-section. Said plates are designed to be made of cast metal, though any other suitable material-such as glass, terracotta, or artificial stone-may be substituted therefor. Said plates are formed with rabbeted edges a b, and are designed and adapted to be fitted together to form rectangular pipes, tubes, or conduits, as `shown in said figure.

To hold the plates securely together they are 5o formed with transverse ribs a b at either end, and between such ends have external projecting lugs, a2 b2, in double rank, parallel with the ribs.

G C are clamp-collars for the ends of the sections, each such collar being composed of two L-shaped castings, G C5', having beveled ends c c, which face each other, as shown, and are formed with openings for .the passage of the fastening-bolts d d. The collars have double 6c internal grooves, c c', into which fit the end ribs, a, b, of the plates A B B and a rib, c2, which `tits between the ends ot the sections composed of such plates. E E represent other clamping-collars, which embrace the sections between their ends, fitting between the lugs a2 b2, as shown. These collars E E are also L-shaped castings with beveled ends e2 e2 and fastening-bolts e e. By means ofthe end collars, C G, andl intermediate collars, E E, the 7o plates A B B are held lirmly together, their joints being rendered tight against the intrusion of moisture.

The conduit may, if desired, be divided longitudinally into separate compartments by means ot' vertical partitions F with lateral shelves f, on which the conductors or cables are to be laid. The partitions and shelves are made separate and in the form of fiat plates.

The former are made with parallel lugsf.l to

receive the inner edges of the shelves f, and

to sustain the outer edges of said shelves the sidesA are formed with similar internal lugs, a3. The top and bottom plates, B B', ot' the conduits have similar lugs, b3, to receive the upper and lower edges ol the partitions F. To permit access to such conductors the side plates, A, may

be formed with detachable gates or shutters G, which are held in place by causing one of their ends to pass into a rabbet in the plate, the other end being secured by wedges k, which pass into notches or openings e inthe median collars, E. There may, if desired, be 'one shutter for each compartment, so as to secure ready access to the conduits without exposing other 9 5 compartments; ora single shutter may be made large enough to uncover all the compartments on one side of a conduit. The plates and collars may be formed of cast metal and will require no finishing. The plates may be packed for transportation much more compactly than complete tubular conduits, with a corresponding saving in freight. They can readily and speedily be put together by unskilled labor, and when properly laid will form a perfectly secure conduit and protector for electrical'conductors. When 'access to the contents is required the shutters may be taken oft, or the collars may bel unloosened, and one or more of the plates forming the sections removed.

In another application, ot' even date herewith, I have shown and claimed the end collars, C. Hence I do not in this application broadly claim the same. In such other application I have also shown a partition and shelves formed in one piece; but in the present case they are composed of separate flat plates, a

different construction, to which my claims are restricted.

y What I claim as my invention is as follows: 1. The combination, with plates A B B',

having lugs a2 b2 between their ends, of clamping-collars Etitting between said lugs, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with conduit-sections having detachable shutters or gates, of clamping-collars E, and wedges h, fitting in openings in said collars and fastening said shutters,

substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with conduit-sections composed of plates A B, having internal lugs or ribs, a3 b3, said sections being open-ended and said partitions and shelves being constructed as described, whereby they may be inserted through such open ends,of vertical partitions F, and shelves fitting between and su pported by such lugs or ribs, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim theforegoing I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day ot'January, 1882.

JOHN K. MCLAUGHLIN.

Witnesses:

UHAs. F. VAN HORN, M. D. UoNNoLLY. 

